While many parts of the country are starting to think about getting their heaters maintained and ready for the coming cooler weather, our air conditioning systems are still getting some pretty regular use. Hopefully yours has served you well so far. However no air conditioning system lasts forever.

If you’re considering a system replacement, fall is a good time to do so. But before you rush out and get an upgraded version of what you have now—or a bigger system—be careful to consider the air conditioner’s size. If sizing is ignored, you may very well find yourself replacing your entire cooling system way before you should have to.

The hottest time of the year is not upon us just yet, but it will be here before you know it. Even now, you can feel the outdoor temperatures rising. If you have been thinking about replacing your air conditioner, or if your system broke down just before the heating season started and you know for sure that this is the year for a replacement, now is the time to start seriously considering your options. Ideally, your new air conditioner will be in place before the hottest—and also the busiest, for AC technicians—days of summer are here.

We’re still hitting temperatures in the 80’s some days, but the high 60’s are getting more and more common. With nighttime temperatures dipping into the low 40’s at points, it’s clear to see that your heating system is going to get some action in the days and weeks ahead. Now that the major playing time for your air conditioner is behind us for the year, it is actually a very good point at which to consider an air conditioning replacement in Tampa, FL.

If you’ve been thinking about replacing your air conditioner, be sure to dial our number today. There’s no sense in waiting for the temperatures to begin to soar once more. Read on, and remember to schedule your AC services with the tried and true professionals here at IERNA’s Heating & Cooling.

At Ierna’s Heating & Cooling, we know that the prospect of replacing one’s air conditioning system is not something that every homeowner is going to look forward to. Still, though, you are going to have to replace your air conditioner at some point if you hope to live in the most comfortable environment possible when in your home. Because determining when the time is right for an air conditioning replacement in Land O’ Lakes, FL can be difficult, the experts on our staff have put together some information to help you do just that. Don’t hesitate to contact a member of our staff to ask questions or to schedule truly outstanding AC replacement services.

With proper maintenance, your air conditioner should last a long time, but sooner or later you’re going to need to get it replaced. When you do, it doesn’t pay to go about it without planning it all in advance. Here in Tampa, air conditioning replacement services can provide you with solid advice on what’s best for your particular circumstances, and you should heed their advice whenever possible. Proper preparation pays when replacing your air conditioner. Here’s a brief overview on the reasons why.

Why Preparation is Key in Air Conditioning Replacement

In the first place, you want an air conditioner that is more efficient than your old one if at all possible. Air conditioning efficiency is rated by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. The higher the rating, the more efficient the air conditioner. You can use a cheat sheet by purchasing a system with the EnergyStar sticker (denoting units with the highest possible rating), but improved efficiency is one of the biggest reasons to replace your air conditioner, so make sure you don’t ignore it.

Once that’s complete, focus on the cooling power of your air conditioner. This is trickier than it sounds. Obviously, if you have a unit that isn’t powerful enough for the size of your home, then it’s not going to cool your home efficiently. But if it’s too powerful, then it will engage in “rapid cycling,” or turning on and off too quickly. Air conditioners use much more power when they turn on and off than they do when they’re just running. A unit’s that’s too powerful for the space will end up costing more money in misspent energy than it saves in cooling power. Since the SEER rating can affect proper sizing, you should settle on a rating before you determine the right size.

Here in Tampa, air conditioning replacement is the purview of Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. We can decide on the best system for you, and ensure that the installation itself proceeds without a hitch!

We have the experience to help you find the right AC system , and we know that proper preparation pays when replacing your air conditioner. Call us today for a consultation.

For any type of air conditioning system in Tampa, the cooling capacity is measured in BTU’s. This is important to know if the system doesn’t seem to be adequately cooking your home, and there are many different ways to check the cooling capacity of your AC system.

1. Air Conditioning System’s Age and Serial Numbers

An air conditioner’s age will usually give you a general idea for its cooling capacity, and if you aren’t sure, you can always check the serial number. Because serial number formats vary by the year the equipment was made, you can check to see how old an air conditioner is from looking at the serial number.

The first four digits of every serial number is the week and year the unit was manufactured. For example, the serial# 1188E53294 on a compressor unit tells us that it was made between 1980 and 1990, and to be more exact, week 11 in 1988.

2. Air Conditioner’s Model Number

You should also look at the model number for your specific model because some manufacturers also vary how they assign each number in the serial number; however, they usually stand for tonnage or MBTUH. You can always call us if you aren’t sure how to read the serial number or model number.

3. AC Equipment’s RLA Numbers

RLA stands for “Rated Load Amps,” which means that it’s the manufacturer’s rate of the cooling capacity (also known as the draw) or load while it’s operating (minus the draw when you start the system). Most air conditioning compressor or condenser units will draw 5 to 6 RLA per ton of cooling capacity. You can check the data tag on the compressor for the RLA rating; however, this will need to be translated into BTUH for the total cooling capacity.

Feel free to call one of the Tampa air conditioning experts at Ierna’s Heating & Cooling if you have any questions how to calculate your AC system’s cooling capacity.

Do you need to replace one of the main components of your split AC system in Tampa? If so, you are probably tempted to just replace whichever unit is failing in order to fix the problem quickly and cheaply. This is not always the best way to go, however. Here are six reasons why you should replace both the indoor and outdoor units at the same time.

Cost

Although replacing just the failing component – whether indoor or outdoor – will be less expensive up front, that choice often proves more costly overall. You will see just what that means in the rest of these reasons.

Advances in design

Heating and cooling technology is always advancing, so since you purchased your AC system, the products on the market have gotten quieter, more efficient and better overall. By replacing just the failing indoor component, you won’t reap all the benefits of this new technology, as the older outdoor component will still lag behind the times.

Higher efficiency

When both units are replaced at the same time, and with models that have the same technology, they work together more efficiently. That means more savings on your bills and a more comfortable home.

Matched system

Split AC systems are designed such that the indoor units are engineered to work best with a matching outdoor unit. When the system is matched, you get optimum performance and efficiency. By replacing just one component, you lose the benefits of that matching, meaning degraded efficiency and performance.

Warranty considerations

A new system means new warranty coverage. Replacing both units at once means a whole new warranty that covers your whole cooling system, so you won’t have to worry about paying for any more replacements jobs for a long time.

Wear and tear

Finally, think about the wear and tear your Tampa air conditioning system has undergone since it was installed. Maybe only your outdoor unit needs to be replaced now, but since your indoor unit has tolerated the same number of hours of use, it may be on its way out sooner than later. It’s like when you buy new tires for your car– you don’t buy one or two, you buy a whole set of four so that the whole system starts fresh. That way you only do it once, and not again in six months or a year.